Rating Rationale
May 26, 2025 | Mumbai
Samrat Pharmachem Limited
Ratings upgraded to 'Crisil BBB-/Stable/Crisil A3'
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities RatedRs.30 Crore
Long Term RatingCrisil BBB-/Stable (Upgraded from 'Crisil BB+/Stable')
Short Term RatingCrisil A3 (Upgraded from 'Crisil A4+')
Note: None of the Directors on Crisil Ratings Limited’s Board are members of rating committee and thus do not participate in discussion or assignment of any ratings. The Board of Directors also does not discuss any ratings at its meetings.
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to Annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities

Detailed Rationale

Crisil Ratings has upgraded its ratings on the bank facilities of Samrat Pharmachem Ltd (SPL) to ‘Crisil BBB-/Stable/Crisil A3’ from 'Crisil BB+/Stable/Crisil A4+'.

 

The rating upgrade reflects the improvement in the company’s business risk profile, supported by increase in revenue and operating margin in 9M FY2025  to Rs 214 crore and 4.7%, respectively. The capital structure was strong owing to low reliance on external debt, yielding gearing and total outside liabilities to adjusted networth ratio of 0.13 time and 0.91 time, respectively, with networth of Rs 64.99 crore as on March 31, 2024.

 

The ratings continue to reflect the established market position of SPL and extensive experience of the promoters in the iodine manufacturing industry and the company’s healthy financial risk profile. These strengths are partially offset by susceptibility to raw material prices and foreign exchange (forex) rates and large working capital requirement.

Analytical Approach
Crisil Ratings has evaluated the standalone business and financial risk profiles of SPL.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description

Strengths:

  • Established market position and extensive experience of the promoters: The company has been manufacturing iodine derivatives for three decades. This has helped the promoters develop understanding of the market dynamics and establish healthy relationships with suppliers and customers. Over the years, SPL has increased its product range to various industrial segments such as pharmaceuticals, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), animal feed and agrochemicals. This has led to the improvement in revenue profile with average growth of 28% over the last five fiscals to Rs 281.64 crore in fiscal 2024 from Rs 92.7 crore in fiscal 2018. The company achieved revenue of Rs 214.6 crore in the nine months of fiscal 2025

 

  • Healthy financial risk profile: The capital structure was strong owing to low reliance on external debt, yielding gearing and total outside liabilities to adjusted networth ratio of 0.13 time and 0.91 time, respectively, with networth of Rs 64.99 crore as on March 31, 2024. Debt protection metrics were adequate as reflected in interest coverage and net cash accrual to total debt ratios of 5.51 times and 0.30 time, respectively, in fiscal 2024. The financial risk profile will remain comfortable over the medium term supported by steady accretion to reserve and nil debt-funded capital expenditure (capex) planned.

 

Weaknesses:

  • Susceptibility to raw material prices and forex rates: Clientele comprises large, established players leading to limited pricing power for SPL. Furthermore, limited complexity of operations constrains profitability. The price of the major raw material, iodine, is volatile and depends on global demand and supply. The operating margin remained at 3-7% over the three fiscals through 2023 and stood at 0.57% in the nine months of fiscal 2024. The operating margin will remain monitorable. Although operating margin seen improvement in 9M FY2025 where company reported operating margin of ~ 6.5% for Q3 FY2025.

 

Since the majority of procurement comes from the international market, sharp fluctuation in forex rates affects procurement cost and accrual. This exposes the operating margin to fluctuation in forex rates.

 

  • Modest working capital cycle: Gross current assets (GCAs) were at 117-136 days over the three fiscals through 2024. Modest working capital management is reflected in GCAs of 136 days with inventory and receivables of 27 and 90 days, respectively, as on March 31, 2024. It is required to extend the long credit period in line with the industry standards as the customers are small and medium-sized players who require credit. Furthermore, to meet its business requirement, the company holds large work in progress inventory.

Liquidity: Adequate

Bank limit utilisation was low at 18% on average for the 12 months ended December 31, 2024. Annual cash accrual is expected over Rs 10 crore against nil term debt obligation over the medium term and will cushion liquidity. The current ratio was healthy at 1.78 times as on March 31, 2024. Low gearing and moderate networth support financial flexibility, which will help to withstand adverse conditions or downturn in the business.

Outlook: Stable

Crisil Ratings believes SPL will continue to benefit from the extensive experience of its promoters and established relationships with clients.

Rating Sensitivity Factors

Upward factors:

  • Sustained increase in revenue by 15-20% with operating margin reaching 7-8% on sustained basis
  • Improvement in the working capital cycle.
     

Downward factors:

  • Decline in net cash accrual below Rs 5 crore on account of fall in revenue or operating profit
  • Large, debt-funded capex, weakening the capital structure
  • Further stretch in the working capital cycle, weakening liquidity and financial risk profile

About the Company

SPL was incorporated in June 1992 at Ankleshwar in Gujarat. The company is promoted by Lalit Mehta and Rajesh Mehta. It manufactures iodine compounds used in pharmaceuticals, FMCG, animal feed, chemicals and agrochemicals. The company became a public limited company in 1995 and is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange.

Key Financial Indicators

As on/for the period ended March 31

Unit

2024

2023

Operating income

Rs.Crore

281.64

310.75

Reported profit after tax (PAT)

Rs.Crore

2.24

16.42

PAT margin

%

0.77

5.35

Adjusted debt/adjusted networth

Times

0.13

0.30

Interest coverage

Times

3.70

19.63

Any other information: Not applicable

Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument:
Crisil Ratings` complexity levels are assigned to various types of financial instruments and are included (where applicable) in the 'Annexure - Details of Instrument' in this Rating Rationale.

Crisil Ratings will disclose complexity level for all securities - including those that are yet to be placed - based on available information. The complexity level for instruments may be updated, where required, in the rating rationale published subsequent to the issuance of the instrument when details on such features are available.

For more details on the Crisil Ratings` complexity levels please visit www.crisilratings.com. Users may also call the Customer Service Helpdesk with queries on specific instruments.

Annexure - Details of Instrument(s)

ISIN Name Of Instrument Date Of Allotment Coupon Rate (%) Maturity Date Issue Size (Rs.Crore) Complexity Levels Rating Outstanding with Outlook
NA Cash Credit NA NA NA 28.00 NA Crisil BBB-/Stable
NA Foreign Exchange Forward NA NA NA 2.00 NA Crisil A3
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2025 (History) 2024  2023  2022  Start of 2022
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Fund Based Facilities ST/LT 30.0 Crisil A3 / Crisil BBB-/Stable   -- 27-02-24 Crisil A4+ / Crisil BB+/Stable   -- 30-12-22 Crisil A4+ / Crisil BB+ /Stable(Issuer Not Cooperating)* Crisil BB+/Stable
      --   -- 11-01-24 Withdrawn (Issuer Not Cooperating)*   -- 26-04-22 Crisil A3 / Crisil BBB-/Stable --
      --   --   --   -- 11-03-22 Withdrawn (Issuer Not Cooperating)* --
      --   --   --   -- 31-01-22 Crisil BB+ /Stable(Issuer Not Cooperating)* --
Non-Fund Based Facilities ST   --   -- 11-01-24 Withdrawn (Issuer Not Cooperating)*   -- 30-12-22 Crisil A4+ (Issuer Not Cooperating)* --
      --   --   --   -- 26-04-22 Crisil A3 --
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
* - Issuer did not cooperate; based on best-available information
Annexure - Details of Bank Lenders & Facilities
Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Name of Lender Rating
Cash Credit 28 ICICI Bank Limited Crisil BBB-/Stable
Foreign Exchange Forward 2 ICICI Bank Limited Crisil A3
Criteria Details
Links to related criteria
Basics of Ratings (including default recognition, assessing information adequacy)

Media Relations
Analytical Contacts
Customer Service Helpdesk

Ramkumar Uppara
Media Relations
Crisil Limited
M: +91 98201 77907
B: +91 22 6137 3000
ramkumar.uppara@crisil.com

Kartik Behl
Media Relations
Crisil Limited
M: +91 90043 33899
B: +91 22 6137 3000
kartik.behl@crisil.com

Divya Pillai
Media Relations
Crisil Limited
M: +91 86573 53090
B: +91 22 6137 3000
divya.pillai1@ext-crisil.com


Nitin Kansal
Director
Crisil Ratings Limited
B:+91 124 672 2000
nitin.kansal@crisil.com


Nilesh Agarwal
Associate Director
Crisil Ratings Limited
B:+91 79 4024 4500
nilesh.agarwal1@crisil.com


Dishantsinh Parmar
Manager
Crisil Ratings Limited
B:+91 79 4024 4500
Dishantsinh.Parmar@crisil.com

Timings: 10.00 am to 7.00 pm
Toll free Number:1800 267 3850

For a copy of Rationales / Rating Reports:
CRISILratingdesk@crisil.com
 
For Analytical queries:
ratingsinvestordesk@crisil.com



 

Note for Media:
This rating rationale is transmitted to you for the sole purpose of dissemination through your newspaper/magazine/agency. The rating rationale may be used by you in full or in part without changing the meaning or context thereof but with due credit to Crisil Ratings. However, Crisil Ratings alone has the sole right of distribution (whether directly or indirectly) of its rationales for consideration or otherwise through any media including websites and portals.


About Crisil Ratings Limited (A subsidiary of Crisil Limited, an S&P Global Company)

Crisil Ratings pioneered the concept of credit rating in India in 1987. With a tradition of independence, analytical rigour and innovation, we set the standards in the credit rating business. We rate the entire range of debt instruments, such as bank loans, certificates of deposit, commercial paper, non-convertible/convertible/partially convertible bonds and debentures, perpetual bonds, bank hybrid capital instruments, asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities, partial guarantees and other structured debt instruments. We have rated over 33,000 large and mid-scale corporates and financial institutions. We have also instituted several innovations in India in the rating business, including ratings for municipal bonds, partially guaranteed instruments and infrastructure investment trusts (InvITs).

Crisil Ratings Limited ('Crisil Ratings') is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Crisil Limited ('Crisil'). Crisil Ratings Limited is registered in India as a credit rating agency with the Securities and Exchange Board of India ("SEBI").

For more information, visit www.crisilratings.com 

 



About Crisil Limited

Crisil is a leading, agile and innovative global analytics company driven by its mission of making markets function better. 

It is India’s foremost provider of ratings, data, research, analytics and solutions with a strong track record of growth, culture of innovation, and global footprint.

It has delivered independent opinions, actionable insights, and efficient solutions to over 100,000 customers through businesses that operate from India, the US, the UK, Argentina, Poland, China, Hong Kong and Singapore.

It is majority owned by S&P Global Inc, a leading provider of transparent and independent ratings, benchmarks, analytics and data to the capital and commodity markets worldwide.

For more information, visit www.crisil.com

Connect with us: TWITTER | LINKEDIN | YOUTUBE | FACEBOOK


CRISIL PRIVACY NOTICE
 
Crisil respects your privacy. We may use your contact information, such as your name, address and email id to fulfil your request and service your account and to provide you with additional information from Crisil. For further information on Crisil's privacy policy please visit www.crisil.com.



DISCLAIMER

This disclaimer is part of and applies to each credit rating report and/or credit rating rationale ('report') provided by Crisil Ratings Limited ('Crisil Ratings'). For the avoidance of doubt, the term 'report' includes the information, ratings and other content forming part of the report. The report is intended for use only within the jurisdiction of India. This report does not constitute an offer of services. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, nothing in the report is to be construed as Crisil Ratings provision or intention to provide any services in jurisdictions where Crisil Ratings does not have the necessary licenses and/or registration to carry out its business activities. Access or use of this report does not create a client relationship between Crisil Ratings and the user.

The report is a statement of opinion as on the date it is expressed, and it is not intended to and does not constitute investment advice within meaning of any laws or regulations (including US laws and regulations). The report is not an offer to sell or an offer to purchase or subscribe to any investment in any securities, instruments, facilities or solicitation of any kind to enter into any deal or transaction with the entity to which the report pertains. The recipients of the report should rely on their own judgment and take their own professional advice before acting on the report in any way.

Crisil Ratings and its associates do not act as a fiduciary. The report is based on the information believed to be reliable as of the date it is published, Crisil Ratings does not perform an audit or undertake due diligence or independent verification of any information it receives and/or relies on for preparation of the report. THE REPORT IS PROVIDED ON “AS IS” BASIS. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAWS, CRISIL RATINGS DISCLAIMS WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR OTHER WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS, ERROR-FREE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, NON-INTERRUPTION, SATISFACTORY QUALITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR INTENDED USAGE. In no event shall Crisil Ratings, its associates, third-party providers, as well as their directors, officers, shareholders, employees or agents be liable to any party for any direct, indirect, incidental, exemplary, compensatory, punitive, special or consequential damages, costs, expenses, legal fees or losses (including, without limitation, lost income or lost profits and opportunity costs) in connection with any use of any part of the report even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

The report is confidential information of Crisil Ratings and Crisil Ratings reserves all rights, titles and interest in the rating report. The report shall not be altered, disseminated, distributed, redistributed, licensed, sub-licensed, sold, assigned or published any content thereof or offer access to any third party without prior written consent of Crisil Ratings.

Crisil Ratings or its associates may have other commercial transactions with the entity to which the report pertains or its associates. Ratings are subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by Crisil Ratings. Crisil Ratings may receive compensation for its ratings and certain credit-related analyses, normally from issuers or underwriters of the instruments, facilities, securities or from obligors.

Crisil Ratings has in place a ratings code of conduct and policies for managing conflict of interest. For more detail, please refer to: https://www.crisil.com/en/home/our-businesses/ratings/regulatory-disclosures/highlighted-policies.html. Public ratings and analysis by Crisil Ratings, as are required to be disclosed under the Securities and Exchange Board of India regulations (and other applicable regulations, if any), are made available on its websites, www.crisilratings.com and https://www.ratingsanalytica.com (free of charge). Crisil Ratings shall not have the obligation to update the information in the Crisil Ratings report following its publication although Crisil Ratings may disseminate its opinion and/or analysis. Reports with more detail and additional information may be available for subscription at a fee.  Rating criteria by Crisil Ratings are available on the Crisil Ratings website, www.crisilratings.com. For the latest rating information on any company rated by Crisil Ratings, you may contact the Crisil Ratings desk at crisilratingdesk@crisil.com, or at (0091) 1800 267 3850.

Crisil Ratings shall have no liability, whatsoever, with respect to any copies, modifications, derivative works, compilations or extractions of any part of this [report/ work products], by any person, including by use of any generative artificial intelligence or other artificial intelligence and machine learning models, algorithms, software, or other tools. Crisil Ratings takes no responsibility for such unauthorized copies, modifications, derivative works, compilations or extractions of its [report/ work products] and shall not be held liable for any errors, omissions of inaccuracies in such copies, modifications, derivative works, compilations or extractions. Such acts will also be in breach of Crisil Ratings’ intellectual property rights or contrary to the laws of India and Crisil Ratings shall have the right to take appropriate actions, including legal actions against any such breach.

Crisil Ratings uses the prefix 'PP-MLD' for the ratings of principal-protected market-linked debentures (PPMLD) with effect from November 1, 2011, to comply with the SEBI circular, "Guidelines for Issue and Listing of Structured Products/Market Linked Debentures". The revision in rating symbols for PPMLDs should not be construed as a change in the rating of the subject instrument. For details on Crisil Ratings' use of 'PP-MLD' please refer to the notes to Rating scale for Debt Instruments and Structured Finance Instruments at the following link: https://www.crisilratings.com/en/home/our-business/ratings/credit-ratings-scale.html